With its variety of beaches, wild camping spots, rocky shores and ancient towns with centuries of history, the 378-kilometer-long coastline of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is among the places enjoying great interest from thousands of tourists every year. It covers the entire eastern border of Bulgaria, stretching from the Romanian Black Sea resorts in the north to the European part of Turkey in the south.

The Bulgarian Black Sea coast is a famous destination for people looking for interesting routes for roadtrips, which it can undoubtedly offer. One of the longest among them starts from Sinemorets, the most popular southern point on the Black Sea coast, and reaches Shabla, its most popular northern point.

From Sinemorets to Shabla – history, landmarks, secret spots and lots of sun

The main things that the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is especially famous for are its beaches with fine and clean sand, as well as popular resorts for recreation. However, it is home to many unique places and preserves centuries of history that would surely satisfy the search of any curious traveller who wants to discover something inspiring and different.

Biodiversity

In natural terms, the Black Sea coast, especially between Sinemorets and Shabla, provides a variety of beautiful riverside forests, rich biodiversity and reserves located along the coast, which protect rare and protected plant and animal species.

It is also one of the best places in Europe to observe interesting and rare bird species, because the Via Pontica – the second largest main migration route for migratory birds that fill the skies every spring and autumn on their way from Africa to Europe and back – passes over it. These include the Imperial Eagle, Egyptian and Griffon Vultures. Along the Bolata area, north of Cape Kaliakra, from early spring to late autumn, one can see red-backed magpies, black-backed and oriental stone curlews, hooded cormorants, alpine swiftlets, pink starlings, thick-billed and short-billed larks, white storks, pelicans and cranes.

History

The lands along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast have been inhabited since ancient times and today in many of the seaside towns and resorts you can see extremely valuable historical monuments. From south to north, among the little-known historical sites is the Urdoviza fortress near Kiten, built in the 5th century, behind which lies an ancient town much older than it. Archaeologists believe that it appeared more than five centuries before Christ.

Next is the sanctuary Beglik Tash, which is located 4 km from Primorsko and is situated in the Ropotamo reserve. It is one of the most mysterious discovered in our lands. The place was deified by the ancient Thracians.

The next stop, after the sanctuary, is the old town of Sozopol – one of the oldest Bulgarian towns in general, together with Nessebar, and one of the most interesting cultural sites in Bulgaria.

After it, another historical landmark is the early Byzantine fortress of Akra near Chernomorets. The settlement that it surrounds has only existed for a century and today, the battle tower that was part of the fortress is located in the sea due to the rise in sea level over the last 1500 years.

A little further north is Pomorie, also one of the most ancient towns in Bulgaria. There are the male monastery “St. The monastery of St. George, the Church of the Transfiguration and the Thracian domed tomb. Close to Pomorie are the protected areas of Blatno kokiche, Koria, and Pomorie Lake, from where salt has been extracted for more than 20 centuries.

Next, towards the north is the old Nessebar – a monument of culture under the auspices of UNESCO and one of the real historical treasures of Bulgaria. Just a few kilometers away is Sveti Vlas, which preserves the remains of one of the largest monasteries in Bulgaria until the 18th century – “Sveti Vlasii”.

Just before Byala, on Cape St. Athanas, is an ancient fortress more than 1500 years old, where three ancient wineries, a public bath, kilns for the production of pottery, a church, entire streets and buildings of various purposes have been preserved.

3 kilometers from Golden Sands is the medieval Aladzha Monastery, which is among the most impressive monasteries in the world because it is excavated in the Sakala.

Beaches

No matter what kind of trip one takes along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, one cannot help but stop at some of its most iconic beaches, even during the colder months. From Sinemorets to Shabla, they are not few.

Sinemorets is a small village located in the southeastern part of the country that offers one of the most amazing views of the Black Sea. This is the place where the river Veleka flows into the sea, and the beach is not accidentally described as “paradise”.

In the direction of Shabla, the best beaches with wide stripes, fine sand and surrounded by natural nature are Varvara, Tsarevo, Lozenets, Irakli, Kara Dere and Bolata. Just a few kilometers after Shabla there is another nice beach and that is Krapets, and 5 kilometers south of Sinemorets is the famous beach Silistar.

Now let’s continue with the natural attractions.

Nature parks, reserves, lakes and phenomena

Ropotamo Reserve

Ropotamo is the southernmost of the three reserves on the Black Sea coast. It is located 50 km south of Burgas and covers the vast areas along the river of the same name. The reserve is distinguished by the uncharacteristic for these latitudes longleaf forests, the Arcutino swamp-lagoon, the Ropotamo river estuary, as well as other interesting and beautiful rock formations, dunes, terraced banks and wetlands. All its natural sights can be explored during a pleasant boat trip led by a local guide who will tell you even the smallest details about them.

Kamchia Reserve

If you are curious to see the largest centuries-old riverside forest in Bulgaria, resembling a deciduous jungle, you must include Kamchia Reserve in the sites to visit during your trip. Located 25 kilometres south of Varna, it covers the area where the Kamchia River flows into the sea. There, you can indulge in another boat ride or pedalo ride on the calm waters of the river.

Rock phenomenon “Pobiti Kamani”

18-20 km west of Varna are the famous “Pobiti Kamani”, called a natural or rock phenomenon. These are rock formations, up to 10 meters high, which cover a large area.

Golden Sands Nature Park

17 km north of Varna is the Golden Sands Nature Park. It is situated parallel to the sea coast and picturesquely surrounds the entire resort. Five hiking trails and five specialised trails run through its territory, which are suitable for hiking, children’s, cycling, phototourism and for people with special needs. To see the most beautiful and unknown places, however, you’ll need to hire a guide if you don’t want to get lost.

Kaliakra Reserve

Next in the direction of Shabla is the natural-archaeological reserve Kaliakra. For years this has been one of the most attractive places on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. It is distinguished by impressive nature, beautiful panoramic views and above all by the rich history and interesting legends associated with it.

Lake Shabla

Another natural landmark, located 3 km from the town of Shabla, is the Shabla Lake. It is a complex of two lakes-lagoons, connected by an artificial channel, separated from the sea by a 230 m sand spit. The place is of particular importance because many rare bird species nest there. In the area of Shabla you can also visit the lighthouse on Cape Shabla, Durankola Lake, the archaeological reserve Yailata. The more famous beaches in the vicinity are Bolata, Krapets, Rusalka, Ezerets, etc.